20 Things to Do in Colorado Springs with Kids

1. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is one of the best places to visit in Colorado Springs with kids. The zoo showcases a variety of animals from Africa, Asia, Australia, and the nearby Rocky Mountains.

For great views, hop on the Mountaineer Sky Ride. The ascent takes about 7 minutes. Spend some time at the kids’ playground and bouldering wall before catching a ride back down.

For great views, hop on the Mountaineer Sky Ride. The ascent takes about 7 minutes. Spend some time at the kids’ playground and bouldering wall before catching a ride back down.

Zoo admission includes the drive up to the Will Rogers Shrine of the Sun. This unique monument offers amazing views of the surrounding landscape.

The cost of admission varies throughout the year with value days during the winter, regular days, and peak days on weekends throughout the summer. Advanced reservations are required.

2. Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site

The Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site is a great place to take the whole family for a day of fun and learning. The ranch is home to several historic buildings, as well as interactive exhibits that teach kids about Colorado’s history.

The Rock Ledge Ranch puts on a Living History Program during the summer with special demonstrations that include bread-baking, woodworking, beading, and folk songs.

Historical interpreters dress in traditional clothing to bring history to life. Learn about the Ute people of the area, pioneer life in a homestead cabin, experience servant life, and watch craftsmen work.

The grounds of the ranch are open daily from dawn to dusk. The buildings are only open during the Living History Program and other special events.

3. Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center

The Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center is perfect for families who love to explore the outdoors. With over 21 miles of trails, it’s a wonderful place for a family hike. Plus, the park is completely free!

Stop by the Visitor & Nature Center for interactive exhibits before hitting the trails. Exhibits include geology, flora and fauna, people and history, and the Theiophytalia dinosaur. Purchase a Junior Ranger program activity booklet at the visitor center to make your adventure more educational.

The Perkins Central Garden Trail is a great trail to start with. This 1.5-mile trail goes through the center of the park along the main rock formations. Another easy trail is the 1-mile Siamese Twins Trail with unique rock formations.

4. Hot Air Balloon Ride

Is a ride in a hot air balloon on your bucket list? Check it off with a Colorado Springs Sunrise Balloon Ride with Rainbow Ryders Hot Air Balloon Ride Co.

They are a reputable company that offers sunrise rides. The early wake-up call will be worth it when you see the dreamy sunrise views and breathtaking rocky mountains.

➡️ Click here to book your Colorado Springs Balloon Ride!

5. Play Street Museum

Designed just for little ones,  Play Street Museum is an interactive play space where kids can explore themed exhibits, pretend play stations, and hands-on activities. From a miniature town to sensory tables, there’s plenty to foster kids’ imagination and creativity. 

Reserve a 1.5-hour play time and let the kids play in a safe indoor space.

6. Overdrive Raceway

Rev up your engines at Overdrive Raceway, Colorado Springs’ premier indoor go-karting facility. It’s a fun, high-speed activity perfect for competitive families. 

The Agility Track is for kids at least 48″ tall and adults. Junior karts go about 25 miles per hour. Teens and adults can take on faster karts on the Speed Track reaching up to 45 miles per hour.

7. AirCity 360 Adventure Park

With dedicated areas for toddlers and plenty of space for older kids to burn off energy, Air City 360 is an excellent option for indoor fun. This massive indoor adventure park features trampolines, slides, extreme dodgeball, an arcade, and even an indoor zipline. They sell 90 minute and 2-hour passes.

9. CityROCK

CityROCK is the perfect place to try indoor rock climbing in a fun and safe environment. With age-specific areas, kids can tackle climbing walls and bouldering areas in a safe space. There are options for all skill levels, from beginners to experienced climbers.

10. Penny Arcade – Manitou Springs

The Penny Arcade in Manitou Springs is a fantastic place for families to have fun together. There are multiple buildings with every arcade game you can imagine. For younger kids, there are rows and rows of old-school kiddie rides outside!

Most games and rides cost a quarter or 50 cents. There are cash machines all over, so you can easily get quarters if needed.

11. Manitou Cliff Dwellings – Manitou Springs

If you can’t make it all the way to Mesa Verde National Park, the Manitou Cliff Dwellings are a good substitute to learn the history of the Ancestral Puebloan people.

You are allowed to go inside the cliff dwellings and even climb into one of them. It is a more immersive experience than you typically get.

12. Cave of the Winds Mountain Park – Manitou Springs

Caves are always a hit with kids. The Cave of the Winds Mountain Park features cave tours including the 45-minute Discovery Tour and the 90-minute Haunted Lantern Tour.

Above ground, the fun continues with a three-story obstacle course, gemstone panning, and dedicated climbing areas just for kids.

13. Pikes Peak

One of the best things to do near Colorado Springs is to visit Pikes Peak. The mountain is located just minutes from the city and it offers stunning views of the Colorado landscape.

There are a few ways to get to the top. You can drive the winding 19 miles to the top of the Pikes Peak Highway. Reservations are required between the Friday before Memorial Day through the end of September. 

Another, more fun, option is riding to the top on the Pikes Peak Cog Railway. It takes you on a 9-mile ride to the top of the mountain, lets you enjoy the views and visitor center for about 40 minutes, then takes you back down. The entire trip lasts about 3.5 hours.

Make sure to check out the interactive exhibits at the visitor center that tell the history of the mountain. The famous donuts sold here are a much-needed treat to top off the experience.

Pro tip: It can be extremely cold at the top of the mountain, even during the summer. Make sure to dress appropriately and bring a jacket.

14. The North Pole-Santa’s Workshop – Cascade

The North Pole-Santa’s Workshop is a Christmas-themed amusement park that features rides, games, and attractions that are perfect for kids of all ages.

With over 30 rides, your entire family is sure to have a good time. Ride some classics like the carousel, Ferris wheel, and tilt-a-whirl.

Some rides can accommodate your entire family including infants. There are also a handful of kid-only rides to make your little one feel extra special.

Entrance into the park is free during the summer and fall. Unlimited ride wristbands are available to purchase if you want to ride the rides. General admission is charged for everyone over 2 when visiting during the holiday season.

It is open from late May through December and is located along the road taken to drive up Pikes Peak.

15. Royal Gorge Bridge & Park – Cañon City

The Royal Gorge Bridge is a unique experience in Cañon City, located about an hour from Colorado Springs. The suspension bridge spans the Arkansas River and is the highest suspension bridge in the United States. 

In addition to crossing the bridge, you can have the ultimate climbing experience on the Via Ferrata. Get an adrenaline rush on the Skycoaster, ride across the Royal Gorge in a Gondola, and Zip Line across the Royal Gorge.

Kids will love the Playland with ropes, slides, nets, tunnels, towers, a seasonal splash pad, a carousel, and gold panning.

16. Royal Gorge Route Railroad – Cañon City

The Royal Gorge Railroad offers a scenic ride through the Royal Gorge while you enjoy a nice meal onboard.

Morning and afternoon rides last about 2 hours. Evening rides are a little longer and last closer to 3 hours. During November and December, there is a special Santa Express Train that takes you to the North Pole to see Santa.

17. White Water Rafting – Cañon City

The Royal Gorge is a great place to experience white water rafting. I highly recommend Raft Masters. I have rafted a couple of times with them and it has always been fantastic! 

For a kid-friendly whitewater adventure, the Bighorn Sheep Canyon Half Day is a great option. This trip features fun but manageable class II and III rapids. You’ll spend about two hours on the river, making it ideal for kids ages 5 and up who weigh at least 50 pounds.

For even younger adventurers, Raft Masters offers a gentle family float suitable for ages 1 and up. This scenic ride features class I and II rapids and lasts about an hour, providing just the right amount of excitement for little ones.

For families with teens looking for a bigger thrill, the Royal Gorge Half Day or Full Day trips offer an adrenaline-pumping experience through class III to V rapids. These trips are best suited for ages 14 and up.

18. Great Sand Dunes National Park

Great Sand Dunes National Park, about a 2.5-hour drive from Colorado Springs, is an amazing family-friendly destination.

We visited this park on a Southern Colorado National Parks road trip and had a blast!

The dunes are the main attraction of the park. It is perfect for kids because you can hike up them wherever you want. You can stop at the first ridge or continue further into the dunes and away from the crowds.

Other things to do in the park include stopping in at the visitor center, splashing around in seasonal Medano Creek, riding a sand sled down the dunes, and hiking in other parts of the park. 

You cannot rent sand sleds in the park. For rental suggestions and other tips, check out my Great Sand Dunes National Park blog post.

19. Rocky Mountain Dinosaur Resource Center – Woodland Park

The Rocky Mountain Dinosaur Resource Center is an interactive museum in Woodland Park, about 30 minutes from Colorado Springs. 

Dedicated to the study and preservation of dinosaurs, the center features exhibits of dinosaurs, prehistoric marine reptiles, pterosaurs, and fish. Kids can unearth fossils in the children’s area and learn all about these prehistoric reptiles.

20. Cripple Creek & Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad – Cripple Creek

Take a scenic ride through Colorado’s historic mining country on the Cripple Creek & Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad. The 45-minute ride in a century-old steam locomotive is perfect for kids, with open-air cars and fun stories about the area’s gold rush history.

Cripple Creek is located about an hour from Colorado Springs.

Where to Stay in Colorado Springs with Kids

If you’re looking for a nice place to stay in Colorado Springs with kids, the Cheyenne Mountain Resort is a great option. It offers plenty of activities to entertain the kids including swimming pools, as well as luxurious accommodations and stunning views of Cheyenne Mountain.

The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs is a popular resort in the area, and for good reason. From the luxurious accommodations to the wide variety of activities both onsite and nearby, this is a great place to base yourself for your Colorado Springs vacation.

If hotels are more your travel style, browse the best hotels in Colorado Springs here.